Comments on: New CBA Clause Alters Terms Of Select Minor League Contracts http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2012/03/new-cba-clause-alters-terms-of-select-minor-league-contracts/ Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:43:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Matt Eddy http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2012/03/new-cba-clause-alters-terms-of-select-minor-league-contracts/comment-page-1/#comment-268184 Matt Eddy Thu, 05 Apr 2012 14:06:10 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=14176#comment-268184 <p>@M W</p> <p>From what I can tell, Jeff Francis (Reds) and Aaron Cook (Red Sox) will receive retention bonuses and June 1 opt-outs as they pitch for Triple-A Louisville and Pawtucket, respectively. (Let's hear it for the 2007 Rockies rotation!) The Cubs' Rodrigo Lopez also may go that route, but his situation is still up in the air after Chicago claimed Luis Valbuena on waivers yesterday. That's because Valbuena is out of options.</p> @M W

From what I can tell, Jeff Francis (Reds) and Aaron Cook (Red Sox) will receive retention bonuses and June 1 opt-outs as they pitch for Triple-A Louisville and Pawtucket, respectively. (Let’s hear it for the 2007 Rockies rotation!) The Cubs’ Rodrigo Lopez also may go that route, but his situation is still up in the air after Chicago claimed Luis Valbuena on waivers yesterday. That’s because Valbuena is out of options.

]]> By: M W http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2012/03/new-cba-clause-alters-terms-of-select-minor-league-contracts/comment-page-1/#comment-268055 M W Thu, 05 Apr 2012 07:12:38 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=14176#comment-268055 Is Jeff Francis the only player who was assigned to AAA with the retention bonus and opt out date?  Looks like he is... Is Jeff Francis the only player who was assigned to AAA with the retention bonus and opt out date?  Looks like he is…

]]> By: Matt Eddy http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2012/03/new-cba-clause-alters-terms-of-select-minor-league-contracts/comment-page-1/#comment-261567 Matt Eddy Sun, 25 Mar 2012 17:54:37 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=14176#comment-261567 <p>Check back here for updated info on player transactions involving Article XX(B) free agents on minor league deals. Remember, players retained by their signing clubs beyond March 30 either (1) will make the major league 25-man roster or (2) will receive a $100,000 bonus plus a June 1 opt-out date to play for the Triple-A club.</p> <p><strong>March 19</strong><br /> Phillies release Joel Pineiro</p> <p><strong>March 25</strong><br /> Cardinals release Alex Cora</p> <p><strong>March 26</strong><br /> Giants release Ramon Ortiz<br> Cubs release Trever Miller<br> Rangers release Conor Jackson<br> Dodgers release John Grabow<br> Mariners add Kevin Millwood to 40-man roster</p> <p><strong>March 27</strong><br /> Astros release Zach Duke<br> Dodgers add Jamey Wright to 40-man roster</p> <p><strong>March 28</strong><br /> Blue Jays add Omar Vizquel to 40-man roster</p> <p><strong>March 29</strong><br /> Nationals release Jason Michaels<br> Dodgers release Josh Bard<br> Rangers release Brad Hawpe<br> Brewers release Corey Patterson (then re-sign him to deal without retention bonus)<br> Cardinals add Scott Linebrink to 40-man roster<br> Phillies add Juan Pierre to 40-man roster</p> <p><strong>March 30</strong><br /> Astros release Livan Hernandez<br> Angels add Jason Isringhausen to 40-man roster<br> Nationals add Rick Ankiel to 40-man roster<br> Yankees release Russ Branyan (then re-sign him to deal without retention bonus)<br> <p><strong>April 1</strong><br /> Brewers add Cesar Izturis to 40-man roster<br> <p><strong>April 2</strong><br /> Nationals add Xavier Nady to 40-man roster<br> Nationals add Chad Durbin to 40-man roster<br> <p><strong>April 3</strong><br /> Indians add Jose Lopez to 40-man roster<br> Indians add Dan Wheeler to 40-man roster<br> <p><strong>April 4</strong><br /> Pirates add Juan Cruz to 40-man roster<br> Reds add Willie Harris to 40-man roster<br> Red Sox add Vicente Padilla to 40-man roster<br> Mets add Miguel Batista to 40-man roster<br> Check back here for updated info on player transactions involving Article XX(B) free agents on minor league deals. Remember, players retained by their signing clubs beyond March 30 either (1) will make the major league 25-man roster or (2) will receive a $100,000 bonus plus a June 1 opt-out date to play for the Triple-A club.

March 19
Phillies release Joel Pineiro

March 25
Cardinals release Alex Cora

March 26
Giants release Ramon Ortiz
Cubs release Trever Miller
Rangers release Conor Jackson
Dodgers release John Grabow
Mariners add Kevin Millwood to 40-man roster

March 27
Astros release Zach Duke
Dodgers add Jamey Wright to 40-man roster

March 28
Blue Jays add Omar Vizquel to 40-man roster

March 29
Nationals release Jason Michaels
Dodgers release Josh Bard
Rangers release Brad Hawpe
Brewers release Corey Patterson (then re-sign him to deal without retention bonus)
Cardinals add Scott Linebrink to 40-man roster
Phillies add Juan Pierre to 40-man roster

March 30
Astros release Livan Hernandez
Angels add Jason Isringhausen to 40-man roster
Nationals add Rick Ankiel to 40-man roster
Yankees release Russ Branyan (then re-sign him to deal without retention bonus)

April 1
Brewers add Cesar Izturis to 40-man roster

April 2
Nationals add Xavier Nady to 40-man roster
Nationals add Chad Durbin to 40-man roster

April 3
Indians add Jose Lopez to 40-man roster
Indians add Dan Wheeler to 40-man roster

April 4
Pirates add Juan Cruz to 40-man roster
Reds add Willie Harris to 40-man roster
Red Sox add Vicente Padilla to 40-man roster
Mets add Miguel Batista to 40-man roster

]]> By: Matt Eddy http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2012/03/new-cba-clause-alters-terms-of-select-minor-league-contracts/comment-page-1/#comment-260378 Matt Eddy Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:13:10 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=14176#comment-260378 <p>@jwb</p> <p>I'm told that baseball has maintained status quo with its salary structure for 40-man roster players on optional assignment in the minors. </p> <p>First-time 40-man players receive $39,125, half of the aforementioned $78,250 that second- or third-time players earn.</p> @jwb

I'm told that baseball has maintained status quo with its salary structure for 40-man roster players on optional assignment in the minors.

First-time 40-man players receive $39,125, half of the aforementioned $78,250 that second- or third-time players earn.

]]> By: Matt Eddy http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2012/03/new-cba-clause-alters-terms-of-select-minor-league-contracts/comment-page-1/#comment-258407 Matt Eddy Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:47:32 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=14176#comment-258407 <p>@Jason</p> <p>Article XX(B) free agents may sign within 10 days of Opening Day and still receive guaranteed opt-out dates and retention bonuses in their minor league contracts. I added the following paragraph to the story.</p> <p><span class="content"><em>"</em>Only players from the preceding year's Article XX(B) free agent class are eligible for guaranteed opt-out rights and retention bonuses if they sign a minor league deal. Furthermore, qualifying free agents shall be covered by the clause so long as they sign within 10 days of Opening Day. This year that deadline falls on March 25."</span></p> @Jason

Article XX(B) free agents may sign within 10 days of Opening Day and still receive guaranteed opt-out dates and retention bonuses in their minor league contracts. I added the following paragraph to the story.

"Only players from the preceding year's Article XX(B) free agent class are eligible for guaranteed opt-out rights and retention bonuses if they sign a minor league deal. Furthermore, qualifying free agents shall be covered by the clause so long as they sign within 10 days of Opening Day. This year that deadline falls on March 25."

]]> By: jwb http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2012/03/new-cba-clause-alters-terms-of-select-minor-league-contracts/comment-page-1/#comment-258334 jwb Mon, 19 Mar 2012 14:33:41 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=14176#comment-258334 And a few hours later, I see my misstatement. Matt Dominguez was optioned for the first time, but on his second major league contract. The above should read, "on their first major league contract still receive half. . ." And a few hours later, I see my misstatement. Matt Dominguez was optioned for the first time, but on his second major league contract. The above should read, "on their first major league contract still receive half. . ."

]]> By: jwb http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2012/03/new-cba-clause-alters-terms-of-select-minor-league-contracts/comment-page-1/#comment-258144 jwb Mon, 19 Mar 2012 04:52:52 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=14176#comment-258144 @Matt Eddy  "<span>In short, players on optional assignment in the minors (meaning they're members of the 40-man roster) earn a minimum of $78,250 this season"</span> <span> Is this true, or will players on their first optional assignment still receive </span>half of that? @Matt Eddy
 "In short, players on optional assignment in the minors (meaning they're members of the 40-man roster) earn a minimum of $78,250 this season"
 Is this true, or will players on their first optional assignment still receive half of that?

]]> By: Matt Eddy http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2012/03/new-cba-clause-alters-terms-of-select-minor-league-contracts/comment-page-1/#comment-254661 Matt Eddy Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:25:16 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=14176#comment-254661 <p>@M W</p> <p>I verified with MLB that only *major league* Article XX(B) free agents are eligible for automatic retention bonuses and June 1 opt-out dates. That means that dozens of other *minor league* free agents and released players who have six-plus years of MLB service would have to negotiate such clauses in their contracts.  </p> <p>Players like Nick Johnson (Orioles) and Oliver Perez (Mariners) were declared minor league free agents last November, making them ineligible for the new clause when they signed their minor league contracts in the offseason. </p> <p>In the case of players like Brett Tomko (Reds) or Bill Hall (Yankees), who elected free agency last fall rather than accept an outright assignment to Triple-A, they are classified as XIXA(2) free agents.</p> <p>Note that Zach Duke's name already appears in the story.</p> @M W

I verified with MLB that only *major league* Article XX(B) free agents are eligible for automatic retention bonuses and June 1 opt-out dates. That means that dozens of other *minor league* free agents and released players who have six-plus years of MLB service would have to negotiate such clauses in their contracts. 

Players like Nick Johnson (Orioles) and Oliver Perez (Mariners) were declared minor league free agents last November, making them ineligible for the new clause when they signed their minor league contracts in the offseason.

In the case of players like Brett Tomko (Reds) or Bill Hall (Yankees), who elected free agency last fall rather than accept an outright assignment to Triple-A, they are classified as XIXA(2) free agents.

Note that Zach Duke's name already appears in the story.

]]> By: Matt Eddy http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2012/03/new-cba-clause-alters-terms-of-select-minor-league-contracts/comment-page-1/#comment-254659 Matt Eddy Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:13:21 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=14176#comment-254659 <p>@Jason</p> <p>Minor leaguers begin making competitive salaries if one of two conditions is met: 1) they make the 40-man roster, or 2) they reach minor league free agency and have multiple bidders for their services.</p> <p>Our <a href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/minors/season-preview/2010/269689.html" rel="nofollow">Playing For Peanuts</a> feature, written by former Giants minor leaguer Scott Broshuis, from the 2010 Minor League Preview covers player compensation quite thoroughly. Scroll down to the subhead entitled Make It To Triple-A.</p> <p>In short, players on optional assignment in the minors (meaning they're members of the 40-man roster) earn a minimum of $78,250 this season, according to the new CBA summary. The top minor league free agents, meanwhile, pull down anywhere from $60,000 to $125,000 for the five months of the season.</p> <p>I interpret this new CBA clause to affect only those major league Article XX(B) free agents who sign minor league deals between the conclusion of the World Series and five days before Opening Day, in this case April 4.</p> @Jason

Minor leaguers begin making competitive salaries if one of two conditions is met: 1) they make the 40-man roster, or 2) they reach minor league free agency and have multiple bidders for their services.

Our Playing For Peanuts feature, written by former Giants minor leaguer Scott Broshuis, from the 2010 Minor League Preview covers player compensation quite thoroughly. Scroll down to the subhead entitled Make It To Triple-A.

In short, players on optional assignment in the minors (meaning they're members of the 40-man roster) earn a minimum of $78,250 this season, according to the new CBA summary. The top minor league free agents, meanwhile, pull down anywhere from $60,000 to $125,000 for the five months of the season.

I interpret this new CBA clause to affect only those major league Article XX(B) free agents who sign minor league deals between the conclusion of the World Series and five days before Opening Day, in this case April 4.

]]> By: M W http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2012/03/new-cba-clause-alters-terms-of-select-minor-league-contracts/comment-page-1/#comment-254646 M W Tue, 13 Mar 2012 14:20:55 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=14176#comment-254646 I assume this is for only players who were MLB free agents and not those who finished the year in the minors.  If that assumption is incorrect then there are about 30 players not on this list who have met the 6 year requirement and signed minor league deals...I.E. Duke, Tomko, Perez, Podsednik, Kearns, Teahen, Lugo, DeRosa, Cantu, Johnson, Gaudin, Silva, Bush, etc... I assume this is for only players who were MLB free agents and not those who finished the year in the minors.  If that assumption is incorrect then there are about 30 players not on this list who have met the 6 year requirement and signed minor league deals…I.E. Duke, Tomko, Perez, Podsednik, Kearns, Teahen, Lugo, DeRosa, Cantu, Johnson, Gaudin, Silva, Bush, etc…

]]> By: Jason http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2012/03/new-cba-clause-alters-terms-of-select-minor-league-contracts/comment-page-1/#comment-254358 Jason Mon, 12 Mar 2012 17:44:16 +0000 http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=14176#comment-254358 A couple of questions: What are the general pay scales at AAA (and other levels of the minors too, maybe)? When MLB veterans have signed minor league contracts in the past, do they usually get the standard AAA salary, or significantly more? Also, do any of these rules apply to contracts signed after March 30 and/or opening day?   If I were a GM, I would not be happy about the large "retention fee" for a AAA player. If these guys are hoping to make an opening day roster, they better not wait until the final week of spring training to impress. A couple of questions:

What are the general pay scales at AAA (and other levels of the minors too, maybe)?

When MLB veterans have signed minor league contracts in the past, do they usually get the standard AAA salary, or significantly more?

Also, do any of these rules apply to contracts signed after March 30 and/or opening day?
 
If I were a GM, I would not be happy about the large "retention fee" for a AAA player. If these guys are hoping to make an opening day roster, they better not wait until the final week of spring training to impress.

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